911 Emergency Communications Dispatcher

2025 Saline County

911 Emergency Comms Dispatcher

Job Description

Exempt:                                 No

Department:                          911 Communications

Reports To:                            Deputy Team Leader/Team Lead

Location:                                102 So. Main Street, Level B, Benton, AR 72015

Safety Sensitive:                    This position is designated as safety/security sensitive and is subject to pre-employment, reasonable suspicion and random drug and alcohol screening.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

This position provides a critical link in the delivery of public safety service, being the first and most important contact with the citizen needing help. Communications operators perform specialized technical communications work in the operation of the Saline Emergency Communications Center. This position performs diversified duties using established procedures, requiring the use of judgement to determine appropriate actions to be taken; receive calls for emergency and non-emergency services by telephone and radio; determine the nature and priority, and dispatch appropriately. This position requires 12-hour shift work, with no implication or guarantee of a particular or continued shift assignment and are subject to change to meet the needs of the department.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Answer emergency and non-emergency calls for service, gather accurate information needed to assist callers, and simultaneously enter this information into computer systems.


2. Calm, question, and provide instructions to callers using dispatch protocol systems; provide emergency assistance to callers until responders arrive (as needed).


3. Monitor multiple radio channels, handle multiple radio traffic, process multiple calls; process calls and radio simultaneously as volume requires; prioritize multiple calls for service.


4. Operate several computer/electronic systems including: Enhanced 911 console, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) mapping software, Rapid Deploy mapping software, Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) software, Priority Dispatch ProQA EMD software, Arkansas Wireless Information Network (AWIN), National Warning System (NAWAS), County VHF Radio Systems, Commander One Siren System, and local camera systems.


5. Operates national and state criminal information computer systems (NCIC/ACIC) to retrieve/update criminal information and motor vehicle/license records; enters, removes, confirms, modifies, and/or updates entries and data as needed; enters and runs inquiries on data such as vehicle registrations, driver's license records, criminal histories, warrants, lost/stolen property, or missing/wanted persons; receives BOLO notices and broadcasts/distributes as appropriate; ensures integrity/security of data and adherence to NCIC/ACIC requirements.


6. Establish importance priorities in seeking and transmitting information as well as directing and coordinating action, which is frequently competing, time-sensitive critical information.


7. Sends appropriate personnel to emergency locations, such as law enforcement units, ambulances, fire department units, wreckers, animal control, coroner, or other agencies as needed.


8.  Notify Emergency Management personnel of significant incidents and maintain situational awareness of all incidents or events that might have a significant impact on Saline County.


9.  As the designated county warning point, maintain awareness of weather conditions by monitoring equipment and notification systems of watches and warnings.


10. Troubleshoot minor equipment malfunctions. Basic maintenance of computer systems, communications equipment, and general office equipment is performed; equipment is inspected for proper operation.


11. Maintain a high level of confidentiality and professionalism regarding sensitive internal and external information.


12. Maintain professionalism conducive to a person in a position of authority while representing Saline Emergency Communications.


13. Be reliable, dependable and be able to report for work on a consistent basis.


14. This position, as are all positions within the 911 Emergency Communications Department, is subject to mandatory staffing regulations set forth by the 911 Board.


15. An essential duty of this position is the ability to work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner.


16. Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

High school or GED, plus specialized schooling and/or on the job education in a specific skill area; e.g., data processing, clerical/administrative, equipment operation, etc., plus 12 to 18 months related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Ability to effectively communicate information and respond to questions in person-to-person and small group situations with customers, clients, general public and other employees of the organization.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Required within first year;

•  ACIC Advanced Certification


•  FEMA 100,144,200,242, 700, 800, 907, and 1200 Courses


•  Priority Dispatch Emergency Telecommunicator Course


•  Priority Dispatch Emergency Medical Dispatch


•  Arkansas Smart911 PSAP Console Training


•  MCDR-1 Missing Children Course.

PREFERRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Communication Training - Problem Solving and Decision-Making Training

WORKING CONDITIONS

Somewhat disagreeable working conditions. Continuously exposed to one or two elements such as noise, intermittent standing, walking, pushing, carrying, or lifting. May involve some travel and/or work is at times, in the evening or during the night hours.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

The following physical activities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.

Highly repetitive, low physical. Highly repetitive type of work which requires concentration in the performance of tasks for consistent time cycles as prescribed by the tasks.

While performing the functions of this job, the employee is continuously required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, talk or hear; occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision; color vision; peripheral vision; depth perception; and ability to adjust focus.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This position is designated as a "safety sensitive position" as defined by Act 593 of 2017. The duties listed above are intended only to show the various types of duties that will be performed.  The omission of a specific statement of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. 

All positions within the 911 Emergency Communications Operations are assigned by the OEM/911 Director /Emergency Communications Manager and are subject to be changed when deemed in the best interest of the office.  This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between Saline County and the employee and is subject to change by the employer if the need of the employer and requirements of the job change.

911 EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS DISPATCHER

• STARTING RATE OF $39,152 ANNUALLY FOR A NEW HIRE.


• STARTING RATE OF $41,110 ANNUALLY FOR AN ESTABLISHED EMPLOYEE (AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS BEEN A FULLTIME SALINE COUNTY EMPLOYEE FOR MORE THAN 90 DAYS).


• THIS POSITION INVOLVES 12 HOUR SHIFTS AND THE SHIFT ASSIGNED WILL BE DEPENDENT UPON THE NEEDS OF THE OFFICE.


• THIS IS A “SAFETY SENSITIVE” POSITION AS DEFINED BY ACT 593 OF 2017. AN ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION IS THE ABILITY TO WORK IN A CONSTANT STATE OF ALERTNESS AND IN A SAFE MANNER.

• BILINGUAL PAY AVAILABLE.


• GROUP HEALTH, DENTAL AND LIFE INSURANCE IS PAID BY THE COUNTY FOR THE EMPLOYEE’S COVERAGE.


• THE COUNTY CONTRIBUTES 15.32% TOWARDS THE EMPLOYEE’S RETIREMENT THROUGH THE ARKANSAS PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

SALINE COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER